to usurp
- verb
- /juːˈzɜrp/
- They feared that an outsider would usurp the leadership position unfairly.
- usurp power
- usurp authority
- usurp the government
That you because, and this is because reproduction is poised to be usurped by the technology industry.
- That you because, and this is because reproduction is poised to be usurped by the technology industry.
- I think it usurps all the press column inches, all the books.
- I have AT shirt that I made specific which says I am here to usurp your narrative.
- I think he was a count when the Tsar was usurped and the Bolsheviks came in and they should have killed him.
- Essentially, we're going to have, when I say people usurp or arrogate or make hereditary their possessions, I'm talking about something that sounds abstract.
- What, what really they feel would usurp their humanity.
- And so that role can be usurped one day and then it come.
- But by disappearing, you will become much, much bigger, and it's impossible to usurp you.
- It is now the usurping of being an actual advertisement, making an actual PSA.
- Now the feds usurped us once we passed it and Congress did their, you know, lobbyist based doning gift and got rid of us on that one.
Examples
-
Critics of this approach believe that courts have the potential to usurp the legislature's role.
Academic text (1992) -
The radical Islamist doctor may easily usurp religious authority from a traditional imam.
Academic text (2008) -
You are trying to usurp my crown.
-
I did not usurp the crown.
-
The scientific vision, without rival in its proper role, must not seek to usurp the place of philosophy.
Academic text (2017) -
Do you want Sheban arms to help you usurp your brother's throne?
-
In subsequent Japanese history, military governments usurped the political power of the imperial system.
Academic text (1991) -
His murderer, Absalon, who attempts to usurp the throne of David, flees from Jerusalem without any punishment.
Academic text (1990) -
Years before, Jason's uncle Pelias had ruthlessly usurped the throne of Thessaly from Jason's grandfather.
-
He tried to usurp control of the company during the board meeting.
Synonyms
Move into a position or seat
To take control of a place, often by force
To take control of a place or person quickly, often by force
Gain control of a company, organization, or government
To take power or money in a dishonest, selfish way
To remove a leader or government from power, often by force
Take control of a group or position without proper authority
Remove a leader or government from power, often by force
To take a right or power that you do not have
Antonyms
How Legitimate
Surface Forms
Etymology
Usurp comes from the Latin verb usurpare, which is from the same root as the English word use and originally meant 'to use'. So to usurp today is to take power or someone's place to 'use' it yourself, often by force or without the right to do so.